Hope Bolinger

Hope Bolinger – Editor

Editor of 400+ authors, specializing in YA, MG, Christian fiction, romance, and fantasy (but open to edit anything), former literary agent.

Overview

Hope has edited the work of 400+ authors, and is an author herself, specializing in developmental edits. She has edited for several traditional publishers and prioritizes preserving author's voice.


As someone who has worked all sides of the desk, she promises to handle all edits with grace. She has a soft spot for young adult (YA), middle grade (MG), romance, fantasy, and Christian fiction and inspirational nonfiction.


But she's honestly open to any genre! She can handle most content, but it never hurts to let her know about any content warnings in your stories. She's just interested in telling good stories.

Services
Fiction
Christian Fiction Contemporary Fiction Contemporary Romance Fantasy Middle Grade Young Adult
Non-Fiction
Christian Non-Fiction Inspirational
Languages
English (US)
Certifications
  • University-Level Editing Course
  • CMoS Editing Training
  • AP Style Editing Training
  • Proofreading Course through Taylor University
  • Copy Editing Course through Taylor University
  • Developmental Editing Course through Taylor University
  • Fine-Tuning Your Fiction through Serious Writer
  • 50 Ways to Fix Stilted Dialogue Course through Serious Writer
  • Deepen Your Story with Deep POV from Serious Writer
  • Children's Writing 101 through Serious Writer
  • Pitch Perfect Querying Class through Serious Writer

Work experience

End Game Press

Nov, 2021 — Oct, 2024 (almost 3 years)

Edits 30-40+ books each year, in genres of fiction, nonfiction, and children’s. Performs both developmental and copy edits on all books for publication.

LifeStone Ministries

Oct, 2024 — Present

I edit curriculum for children ages 3-18. I am also in the process of developing paperbacks for the company for all genres from fiction to children's to nonfiction.

Xulon Press

Feb, 2024 — Present

Provides edits to clients in a variety of genres. Ghostwrites some copy to ensure proper style, flow, and adherence to genre tropes.

CYLE

May, 2018 — Mar, 2021 (almost 3 years)

Edited the work of 100 clients as an agent’s assistant and landed 70 book contracts for clients.

Self-employed

May, 2018 — Present

Provides dev. and copy edits to hundreds of books, including for several traditional publishers.

Iron Stream Media

Feb, 2018 — Jun, 2019 (over 1 year)

Managed pub board team, evaluating manuscripts on a monthly basis for publication.

Portfolio

Upside Down Dreams

Michelle "MACE" Curran

End Game Press

Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
When Secrets Come Calling: A Second Chance Southern Romantic Suspense

Ferguson, Felicia

Salt & Light Publishing

Copy Editing Proofreading
Made with Reedsy
My Name is Nkechukwuọma

Gloria

Yorshi Publishing

Copy Editing Proofreading
Made with Reedsy
First Date

Lacy, Evan

Copy Editing Proofreading
Made with Reedsy
Hexblood

Livingstone, Kiernan A

Copy Editing Proofreading
Developmental Editing
Jessie's Hope

Hallmark, Jennifer

Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing
After the Flowers Die

Renee Leonard Kennedy

Copy Editing
Developmental Editing
Uncrushed

Marshall, Beth

Developmental Editing
Unbetrothed

Pedraza Yamnitz, Candice

Developmental Editing
Fade to White

Ross, Tara K.

Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
The Secret of Chimneys

Alice H. Murray

Developmental Editing
The Sadeiest

Spencer, Austrian

Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing

Hope has 47 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Salmaun A.

Salmaun A.

Jun, 2024

Pinned
Hope is all that and a bag of chips! The first editor I've ever worked with, and I HOPE to work w/ for decades ;) Hope was prompt w/ her work, met my timelines, and gave such thoughtful feedback. Having someone as seasoned as Hope is in the writing business validate me as a novelist has done wonders for me. I can't thank you enough Ms. Bolinger!
Hope B.
This book was INCREDIBLE! I found myself going way past work hours to read this, because it was THAT GOOD. I'm so excited to watch this book's journey, and you were such a wonderful author to work ...
Read more
Chris G.

Chris G.

Jun, 2024

Pinned
Hope was so very helpful and attentive to all aspects of my manuscript. She was prompt with responses no matter the day of the week and was always thoughtful and intentional with her responses. She truly helped me along with my work and even got it to a point I didn't mind reading it again. She was just truly fantastic and worth every penny I payed for her services. Thanks so much Hope! Le...
Read more
Hope B.
I absolutely loved this book, and you were such a wonderful author to work with!! I'm cheering on this book, and have been absolutely grateful to have worked on it.
stephen R.

stephen R.

May, 2024

Pinned
Hope was wonderful to work with. As a first time author it's a little daunting getting editorial feedback. Everything went smoothly and Hope delivered all that we discussed well within the timeframe, which allowed us some time at the end to talk through aspects of the project. Definitely 10/10. I'd work with her again without hesitation.
Hope B.
I loved this book so much and you were such a wonderful author to work with! I’d be honored to work on any of your books!
Antonio C.

Antonio C.

Mar, 2025

Hope was amazing. She took assessment editing to a new level by not only offering superior editorial suggestions on how to improve story, pacing, characterizations, etc., but she also—and even more importantly—helped me understand how my story resonates on an emotional and even spiritually level, how the story can move readers by offering new insights and understandings. And isn't that why we a...
Read more
Hope B.
I loved this book. I cried more times than I could count. Thank you for letting me be on this edit.
Tony A.

Tony A.

Jan, 2025

Hope is great. She does a thorough job and has helped me to improve my book and my writing. I give her my highest rating and recommendation. She's easy to work with and responds to inquiries and questions promptly.
Hope B.
I am always so blessed to work on any of your books. This one was my absolute favorite thus far!

Sign up to read more reviews

Create a free Reedsy account to connect with Hope and thousands of other publishing professionals on Reedsy.

Professionals similar to Hope

Get a range of offers by requesting quotes from multiple professionals.

Crystal Nero

Crystal N.

Collaborative, versatile editor + sensitivity reader with bestselling titles in self-help, mind, body, spirit, and marginalized communities.

San Francisco Bay Area , CA, USA

100% reply rate

View profile
Nancy Smay

Nancy S.

Fiction editor and coach with USA Today bestselling and NYT bestselling clients (and new ones!) | USA Today bestselling romance writer.

Denver, CO, USA

100% reply rate

View profile
Richard Roper

Richard R.

Novelist published by Penguin (US), Orion (UK), translated into 20 languages. Formerly senior non-fiction commissioning editor at Hachette.

London, UK

100% reply rate

View profile